BLOG

From March 5-8th, CYL 2013 Graduates and 2013 Semi-Finalists travelled to Ottawa to attend the CYL Spring Forum and CCA Annual Meeting. Events kicked off on the afternoon of March 5th with 22 Semi-Finalists vying for 16 mentorships. The selection process was in a round table format with representatives from MNP, Elanco, Cargill, ALMA, FCC, and CCMDC facilitating the conversation. Marty Seymour, CEO of Canadian Western Agribition, Michael Latimer, General Manager of the Canadian Angus Association, and Kerry Hyatt, 2013 CYL Graduate, served as judges for the round table selections. The day concluded with a Graduation Banquet and Reception to recognize the 15 CYL Graduates and highlight the events and achievements of the past year. Selections concluded the next morning and were followed by presentations from Ryder Lee, CCA Manager of Federal Provincial Relations, on animal health and a market update from Brian Perillat, Manager/Senior Analyst for Canfax. Brenda Schoepp joined our group in the afternoon to present on mentorship and facilitate a round table discussion that highlighted some of the mentee-mentor relationships from the past year and a sustainability project CYL is working on with the Five Nations Beef Alliance Young Ranchers group among other topics. Ag More Than Ever was also able to join CYL for a portion of the week and put together a great video showcasing CYLs and why they chose a career in agriculture (http://www.agriculturemorethanever.ca/why-did-you-choose-a-career-in-agriculture/). Wednesday evening, graduates and semi-finalists alike were able to mix and mingle with CCA Directors, industry representatives and MPs from Parliament Hill at the CCA VIP Reception. Many CYLs stayed to take in some of the CCA Committee meetings that where scheduled for that week. All in all it was a very successful event and a great networking opportunity for the CYLs. To read more about this event and the 16 new CYL mentees visit the Participant Spotlight page of our website (http://canadiancattleyoungleaders.ca/participant_spotlight.html) or click on the link for the Mentorship Recipient News Release below.

CCA News Release 12-03-2013 -Cattlemen’s Young Leaders announces 2013 Mentorship Recipients